Tyee Elementary School, Vancouver, B.C.

Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

Everyone looked relaxed and ready to come back to school after the break for the final term of the year. I enjoyed listening to parents and students tell me how they enjoyed their holidays both in the city and afar. We really do live in a remarkable city and having the opportunity to fully enjoy it during holiday time is “priceless”.

This month students will participate in Earthweek activities, Think and Eat Green and Earthbites for environmental science; Hip Hop dance for PE curriculum; and the primaries will enjoy author Bob Heidbreder and his stories and poetry for Language Arts. The grade 7 students have several trips to look forward to: Victoria, Downtown Vancouver Library, and CBC station - all experiential learning as they broaden their horizons in preparation for high school. See below for more details on Earth Week.

This month teachers will discuss the Tyee School Plan for next year and determine the goals for focus. In preparation for school wide goal setting, teachers look at the existing goals, classroom data and determine a course of action. Goals are often set for several years so patterns can be seen and positive affect can take place. This year across the VSB District, schools are expected to have an Aboriginal education goal with an emphasis on academics or cultural studies, or both. Parents in our School Planning Council also participate in a discussion around the school plan in informing and advisory roles. This is always an opportunity for parents to become more familiar with how a school looks at long range planning and actions. Setting a particular goal does not mean that other areas of academic study are considered less of a focus. What it does mean, however, is that we closely track one particular area and perhaps look at a particular set of learners and their needs in order to act for improvement. The plan is submitted to the Vancouver School Board for review and approval before being posted on the website and available for staff and parents. The 2012- 2013 Tyee School Plan may be viewed on our Tyee website.

The 2013-2014 School Calendar will also be set this month. Parents and school staff reviewed a draft of the proposed calendar and submitted feedback to the District. The proposed District Calendar is also reviewed by all of the Union groups before the final approval of the school calendars from the VSB Trustees. Schools in the District build in their professional days. Again this year, the District has set days for all schools with the flexibility of two days that may be changed. Parents will be given the finalized approved School Calendar during the first week of June. Please open the attached letter to parents from VSB Superintendent, Mr. Steve Cardwell.

Click here for Mr. Cardwell's Letter

The staff and I appreciate discussions with parents about their children and learning, my regular planning conversations with PAC Co-Chairs, and ideas, enthusiasm and participation from parents in many of the amazing Tyee learning events.

Sincerely,

Gail Marlow

Principal